Pray for Colombia
A historic walled port city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
Photo: Sgonzalezb, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Colombia
The capital is Bogotá. People speak Spanish, with many indigenous languages. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Colombia
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
On 10 August a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centred in San José del Palmar, Chocó, shook Colombia and its neighbours. By early September the national disaster agency, UNGRD, reported 331 deaths, more than 4,500 people injured and about 466,000 people affected in 16 departments. Since President Abelardo de la Espriella took office on 7 August, the government has ended talks with armed groups and begun a large security offensive, with more than 900 arrests reported in the first month.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Colombia is a presidential republic, and the President is both head of state and head of government. Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative who is new to politics, was sworn in on 7 August 2026 in Cali. He says the peace process with armed groups has failed and is focusing on restoring state control and security. On 30 October the UN Security Council voted unanimously to extend its verification mission to 31 October 2027, now focused on former FARC members returning to civilian life and on security guarantees, while rural reform passes to Colombian institutions.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The economy grew about 3.5% in the second quarter of 2026, and the central bank expects about 2.5% growth for the year. Monetary poverty fell to about 28% of people in 2025, from about 32% in 2024, but about 14.5 million Colombians are still poor and about one in ten live in extreme poverty. Nearly 100,000 extortion cases in the last decade weigh on families and small businesses, reports say.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
Decades of conflict displaced nearly 6 million people, and armed groups have grown from about 6,000 to almost 30,000 members in ten years, government figures say. Rural communities and children drawn into armed groups are among the most vulnerable. Colombia also hosts about 2.8 million Venezuelans, by 2023 figures.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About 73% of Colombians are Catholic, about 14% Protestant and about 11% atheist or agnostic, according to a 2017 survey cited by the US State Department. Small Jewish, Muslim, Bahai and Buddhist communities are also present. Christians are found across the whole country, in cities and rural areas alike.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution guarantees freedom of religion, treats all churches as equal before the law and has no state church. The main danger comes from illegal armed groups in rural areas: the US State Department has reported killings, threats and attacks against religious leaders, and that groups such as the ELN hinder church peace and reconciliation work. Because many leaders are also active in community causes, the motive is often hard to know.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
More than 50 years of war between the state and the FARC left over 220,000 people dead and nearly 6 million displaced before the 2016 peace agreement, under which about 14,000 fighters laid down their weapons. Violence by other armed groups has continued since, and many communities still live with grief and fear.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Colombia. Comfort all who lost loved ones and homes in the earthquake, protect families in the regions where violence continues, and comfort all who grieve. Give President de la Espriella and all in authority wisdom, integrity and justice, and a way to lasting peace. Provide for every family, and free workers and small businesses from the fear of extortion. Protect children, rural communities and the Venezuelans who have made their home here, and bring reconciliation between neighbours. Keep church leaders safe as they serve and build peace, and let Your truth and hope spread in every town. Heal the deep wounds of the long war, and lead Colombia in forgiveness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- PAHO: natural hazards monitoring, Colombia earthquake update (September 2026)
- Vanguardia: earthquake toll 331 dead, UNGRD report (Aug 2026)
- Blu Radio: UN extends verification mission in Colombia to 2027 (Oct 2026)
- Vanguardia: first month of the new government (Sept 2026)
- AP via ABC News: new government says 2016 deal has not brought peace (Oct 2026)
- Finanzas Digital: DANE, GDP grows 3.5% in Q2 (Aug 2026)
- El Heraldo: DANE monetary poverty 2025 (June 2026)
- US State Department: Colombia 2020 International Religious Freedom Report
- Diario Las Americas: R4V figures on Venezuelans abroad (June 2023)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Colombia and pray along.
Watch the PrayerCast video for Colombia
It opens on prayercast.com in a new tab. If it does not open the page for Colombia, search for the nation on PrayerCast.
Is something on this page not right? Tell us
Share a prayer request for Colombia
Is there something you would like us to pray for in Colombia? Tell us, and we will pray with you. You choose whether we may publish it or keep it private.